KSF- Kiambu launches plan to devolve swimming across slums and public schools in the region

Kenya Swimming Federation - Kiambu County has kicked off preparations towards launching a development program aimed at introducing the sport through partnerships with institutions, to the slums and informal sectors across the country.

The initiative, also set to incorporate public schools, will see coaches and instructors conduct free swimming lessons and also sponsor individual swimmers to participate in county swimming championships.

The development comes soon after students from Mugumuoni Primary School in Kiandutu Slum, Thika became the first beneficiaries of the program that saw them actively participate in the second edition of Kenya Swimming Federation - Kiambu County Minnows Swimming Championships that took place last weekend at the Crawford International School in Nairobi.

Having expressed interest to join the branch, information reaching Mozzart Sport indicates that apart from area MP Hon. Alice Ng’ang’a expressing interest to financially support the budding swimmers, they would in the coming term be incorporated to be members in all KSF - Kiambu events.

Seahorses Aquatic Center dominate second edition of KSF-Kiambu Minnows Swimming Championships

Seahorses Aquatic Center were crowned the champions of the aforementioned Minnows Championships after clinching both the boys’ and girls’ categories with 382 and 319 points respectively in the event that attracted over 16 schools from the region.

Seahorses coach Peter Mwangangi went on to promise specialized training to potential swimmers in the primary school through their long term athletes development plan.

''We need to keep a sustained effort to introduce young children to swimming and drive the important message that learning to swim can save your life,'' said Joseph Ndungu - KSF Kiambu Executive Committee Member.

Ndungu who is leading the 'learn to swim program' amongst the public schools dubbed Swim4Life stated that the end goal of the program is to create real solutions designed to ensure children are safer in the water, especially majority youth who are at a higher risk for drowning.

“We have noted much enthusiasm and interest boys and girls from public schools in slum sectors have for the game but their ambition to participate in the sport has been thwarted by financial complications and lack of facilities such as swimming pools. Our plan is to introduce equal opportunities and level playing field to all swimmers irrespective of their backgrounds by developing standard swimming infrastructure in the region to serve the public at an affordable rate. We are doing everything to ensure professional coaches are seconded to public schools in a bid to achieve provision of adequate training to learners and also avert cases of kids unsafely drowning due to lack of knowhow in handling the game” he added.

The Federation's initiative was prompted after the recent survey by Swimming Stakeholders established that nearly 90% of kids in the country do not know how to swim which is quite a huge risk. The Federation has been also working closely with private institutions and clubs to help fund and support reduced-cost swim lessons to children across the county.